beatify

[ bee-at-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, be·at·i·fied, be·at·i·fy·ing.

1. to make blissfully happy.
2. Roman Catholic Church. to declare (a deceased person) to be among the blessed and therefore entitled to local but not universal veneration. Compare canonize ( def 1 ).

beatify

/ bɪˌætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən; bɪˈætɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr RC Church (of the pope) to declare formally that (a deceased person) showed a heroic degree of holiness in his or her life and therefore is worthy of public veneration: the first step towards canonization
2. tr to make extremely happy

Derived Forms

• beatification, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beatify¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French beatifier, from Late Latin beātificāre; beatific ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of beatify¹

C16: from Old French beatifier , from Late Latin beātificāre to make blessed; see beatific

Example Sentences

This tendency to beatify certain figures is something mainstream conservatives now share with extremist ideologies elsewhere.

From FiveThirtyEight

It is an innate element of the human constitution, designed to beautify and beatify man.

From Project Gutenberg

He does also many things through angels; but only from Himself does He beatify angels.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consecrate
• sanctify